In Depth Coverage

Threats & Challenges imposed by Climate Change on the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, which is well know for its unique concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), spans over a geographical area of 38,394 sq. km. stretching from about 100 meters in the Southern foothills to almost 7,500 meters above sea level in the Northern Mountains. Such a vast altitudinal variation within a short latitudinal aerial distance of about 150 Kms plays a crucial role in the physiographic, bio-diversity, climatic, socio-economic, and cultural milieu. Erratic climate and weather conditions, flash floods, landslides, and many other natural disasters have become a major concern, and are likely to be further aggravated by climate change. The dependence of nearly 70 percent of the population on agriculture, mostly subsistence farming, and hydro power generation - the main revenue earner, makes the nation highly vulnerable the vagaries of climate change. Studies carried out by ICIMOD indicate that there are 677 glaciers and 2,674 glacial lakes in Bhutan, out of which 25 glacial lakes pose potentially high risk for GLOFs. Most of the Hydel power plants of Bhutan, including agricultural land, and natural heritages are located along the rivers and are highly susceptible to natural disasters induced by climate change. This project aims at evaluating the challenges and threats posed by climate change, with special emphasis on water resources.

• Link With Climate Change

  Open

  'Climate change' has been the most discussed and debated issue in recent years. Though there are very few scientific research work done in Bhutan, studies carried out in other parts of the Himalayan region of India and Nepal does provide ample evidence of emerging climate change related issues. Erratic climate and weather conditions, flash floods, land slides, and many other natural disasters have been more common in recent years. Lack of data makes it difficult to establish whether climate change is the main cause of such problems, but creating a scenario of climate change and its spatio-sectoral impact would definitely make the country prepared and take adaptive measures to secure its future and achieve sustainable and development goals.

• Objectives

  Open

  1. Generate hydrological, DEM, land use and land cover database.
  2. Create a 3D model using ArcGIS software and assess the likely impact of climate change (by assuming certain scenario with special emphasis on GLOF) on the society, infrastructure and economy.
  3. Analyse the threats and Challenges of climate change and suggest appropriate adaptation strategies.
   

   

• Work plan

  Open

  Stage - I

  ·          Obtain satellite data and materials

  ·          Identification of the sample sites / pilot area

  ·          Interpretation of data

  ·          Ground truthing

   

  Stage - II

  ·          GIS analysis, compilation of data/information, and preparation of draft project report

  ·          Presentation and discussion of major findings with experts, for further improvement, feedback and awareness

   

  Stage - III

  ·          Final report writing and submission

   

• Schedule

  Open

  Stage – I - February – March 2010
  Stage – II - April – July 2010
  Stage – III - August – September 2010
   

   

• Technical and Scientific Approach & Methods Proposed

  Open

  Land use and land cover map, including drainage network and DEM will be interpretation from latest satellite imageries, and substantiated by comparing it with existing land use map of Bhutan (1998).

  The data will be analyzed using ArcGIS 9.2 software and simulation models will be created by assuming scenarios arising out of snow melting, flash floods, and increase/decrease of rainfall.
  These models will be applied to assess the impact, challenges and threats of climate change on the socio-economic development of Bhutan, and find out appropriate adaptation measures.
   

• Results

  Open

   A comprehensive project report

• Deliverables

  Open

  1. Land use & Land cover Map (shape files)

  2. DEM

  3. full project report

• Use of Satellite Imagery and GIS Solutions

  Open

  Satellite Imageries will be used to generate:

  1. Land use and Land cover map, and

  2. Digital elevation Model

  GIS solutions will be used for:

  1. analysing land use, land cover and DEM data

  2. Assess and quantify the impact of climate change by creating simulation models

• Local Actions

  Open

  1. Interact with vulnerable communities, document their views and apprise them about the impact of climate change and its consequences

  2. Inform politicians, policy makers and researchers about the threats and challenges of climate change

  3. Create awareness through campaigns, quizes and debates especially amongst school and college

• Region Name

  Open
  Bhutan

• Partners involved in project

  Open
  Dr. Anup Saikia
  Department of Geography
  Gauhati University,
  Assam,
  INDIA